The Archbishop

From the Cardinal Archive

Posted on Friday May 4, 2007

Cardinal Mahony Urges Full Immigration Immunity Be Given To Witnesses In May 1 MacArthur Park Violence

In deploring the violence that disrupted a peaceful march and rally for immigration reform legislation May 1 in MacArthur Park, Cardinal Roger Mahony today urged investigators of the violence to grant “full legal immigration immunity to those who may have been directly affected by the police actions, but who are afraid to come forward and give their testimony in fear of being turned over to immigration authorities.” Cardinal Mahony’s complete statement appears below.

STATEMENT on MAY 1ST VIOLENCE AT MacARTHUR PARK
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony
Archbishop of Los Angeles

Like most Angelinos, I have been watching innumerable television images of the aftermath of a peaceful and orderly pro-immigrant march and rally on the afternoon of May 1st. I was a member of the march from Vermont and 3rd Streets to the MacArthur Park, and I was privileged to address the people present.
Even if a small group of people caused trouble, the entire assembly and the media should not have borne the brunt of seemingly inappropriate police activity. I have seen very clear images of women and children trying to get out of the way of the police, people very frightened, but being treated as if they were criminals. There is no excuse for the unprovoked attacks upon these people, and upon the reporters, camera operators, and other news people.

As Chief William Bratton has remarked publicly several times, something went terribly wrong at MacArthur Park on May 1st, and police personnel up and down the chain of command failed the community.
I welcome the various investigations being undertaken to find out exactly what happened, what the response was to the problem, and who must bear the blame and responsibility. But more—the community needs to know that new procedures and processes are in place to prevent innocent people and media personnel from becoming victims of unacceptable police response. The vast majority of our law enforcement personnel are dedicated and conscientious professionals, and we appreciate all that they do to help and protect us. But something went very wrong on May 1st, and all of us will benefit from the investigations, conclusions, and recommendations.
I appeal to all of our public authorities at every level—city, county, state, and federal—please grant full legal immigration immunity to those who may have been directly affected by the police actions, but who are afraid to come forward and give their testimony in fear of being turned over to immigration authorities. I met many people on May 1st who were marching for one purpose: because they love this country, and because they want to find a way to become legal residents here. Not all were in some legal process at this time. But their testimony about May 1st would be extremely valuable for all of the investigative bodies.
Please assure the immigrant community that they will have full immigration immunity, and encourage them to come forward and to give their own personal testimony from that difficult afternoon.
Let us continue to work together in our community for processes which unite us while helping to learn and establish the truth in order to prevent a repeat of that day.
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